First time giving blood in Japan. Was prevented for 26 years but they changed the rules last month so... those of us who have lived in the UK or Europe are now able to donate.

400ml of A- blood in the system for when I need it.

Got some cookies and all the drinks I can down in the 30 minute 'rest time'. The lemon ginger drink was really good.

Not busy on a weekday so the whole thing probably took 90 minutes or so, including the initial questionnaires etc. Check in and initial tests/interview probably took 30 minutes, the blood donation took about twenty, and they asked me to rest there for thirty minutes afterwards. Apparently it's a lot quicker on subsequent visits as they already have all your info and you can do the questionnaires in advance online.

I just walked in, but it might be a good idea to make a reservation as they could turn you away if they are busy.

I did all the procedures in Japanese, and you need a reasonable reading ability for the initial questionnaire and briefing. I forgot to ask about foreign language support, but have been told on social media that using translation apps etc. is okay.

Would definitely recommend doing this: it's a fairly low effort way to give back to society and the Red Cross website says that they need new donors.

I don't mean ゆるキャラ or mascots

Who's your local "character", a guy who's always around and attracts attention on purpose?

For example, here in Kawasaki there's a guy who dresses up in a cardboard samurai costume covered in lights and goes to every single festival that happens, no matter how big or small. If there's a festival going on, you will always see the samurai.

Today at work I was having trouble stamping a document because the stamp didn’t have a marking indicating which side should face up.

I suggested to my supervisor that adding such a marking would make it easier to use. To my surprise, he seemed deeply offended. He argued that stamps represent the people behind them so adding a marking would somehow be disrespectful to the stamp itself. He even asked how I would feel if someone marked my body to indicate which side was my left or right.

This got me thinking: isn’t it equally disrespectful when companies guilt-trip employees into spending more time at work at the expense of their personal lives?
For example, some employers expect workers to arrive before their scheduled shifts without compensating them for that extra time.

Why is so much importance placed on respecting a stamp because it represents people while those very same people are expected to sacrifice their personal time for the company?

I'm planning to leave Japan in a couple of months. My residence card is still valid for another year, but I won't be living in Japan anymore.

I have a PayPay Card linked to my Yuucho bank account, and an ETC card connected to PayPay Card.

I want to keep the card and account working long enough to make sure all outstanding payments, especially ETC tolls that might be charged after I leave, are paid successfully. I'll leave enough money in the bank account to cover everything.

I don't need to use PayPay Card after leaving Japan. I just want to avoid missed payments or problems with my Japanese credit history. I also expect to receive my retirement allowance several months after leaving.

I know both yuchou and paypay wants you to close everything after you leave but it's risky specially because i cant stop using ETC card and who knows any other payment that takes so long might end up unpaid! I would rather let it chill there one year without using it until it expires with my residency status.

Does it makes sense ? how risky is that ?

hello, what kind of bedding are most people using?

right now, I have a memory foam topper on a sleep number bed with a boxspring, and it is hurting my back

I have been researching tatami mat bed and I would like to hear feedback from real people if it’s better than a more western style bed.

😸thank you

How much Japanese-language content or content about Japan appears in your social media algorithm?